Oxide-Nitride-Oxide Stack Having Multiple Oxynitride Layers

ABSTRACT

A semiconductor device including a silicon-oxide-oxynitride-oxide-silicon structure and methods of forming the same are provided. Generally, the structure comprises: a tunnel oxide layer on a surface of a substrate including silicon; a multi-layer charge storing layer including an oxygen-rich, first oxynitride layer on the tunnel oxide layer in which the stoichiometric composition of the first oxynitride layer results in it being substantially trap free, and an oxygen-lean, second oxynitride layer on the first oxynitride layer in which the stoichiometric composition of the second oxynitride layer results in it being trap dense; a blocking oxide layer on the second oxynitride layer; and a silicon containing gate layer on the blocking oxide layer. Other embodiments are also disclosed.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part of co-pending U.S.application Ser. No. 11/811,958, filed Jun. 13, 2007, which claims thebenefit of priority under 35 U.S.C. 119(e) to U.S. Provisional PatentApplication Ser. No. 60/931,947, filed May 25, 2007, both of which areincorporated by reference herein.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates to semiconductor processing and, moreparticularly to an oxide-nitride-oxide stack having an improvedoxide-nitride or oxynitride layer and methods of forming the same.

BACKGROUND

Non-volatile semiconductor memories, such as a split gate flash memory,typically use a stacked floating gate type field effect transistors, inwhich electrons are induced into a floating gate of a memory cell to beprogrammed by biasing a control gate and grounding a body region of asubstrate on which the memory cell is formed.

An oxide-nitride-oxide (ONO) stack is used as either a charge storinglayer, as in silicon-oxide-nitride-oxide-silicon (SONOS) transistor, oras an isolation layer between the floating gate and control gate, as ina split gate flash memory.

FIG. 1 is a partial cross-sectional view of an intermediate structurefor a semiconductor device 100, such as a memory device, having a SONOSgate stack or structure 102 including a conventional ONO stack 104formed over a surface 106 of a silicon substrate 108 according to aconventional method. In addition, the device 100 typically furtherincludes one or more diffusion regions 110, such as source and drainregions, aligned to the gate stack and separated by a channel region112. Briefly, the SONOS structure 102 includes a poly-silicon (poly)gate layer 114 formed upon and in contact with the ONO stack 104. Thepoly gate layer 114 is separated or electrically isolated from thesubstrate 108 by the ONO stack 104. The ONO stack 104 generally includesa lower oxide layer 116, a nitride or oxynitride layer 118 which servesas a charge storing or memory layer for the device 100, and a top,high-temperature oxide (HTO) layer 120 overlying the nitride oroxynitride layer.

One problem with conventional SONOS structures 102 and methods offorming the same is the poor data retention of the nitride or oxynitridelayer 118 that limits the device 100 lifetime and/or its use in severalapplications due to leakage current through the layer.

Another problem with conventional SONOS structures 102 and methods offorming the same is the stochiometry of the oxynitride layer 118 isneither uniform nor optimized across the thickness of the layer. Inparticular, the oxynitride layer 118 is conventionally formed ordeposited in a single step using a single process gas mixture and fixedor constant processing conditions in an attempt to provide a homogeneouslayer having a high nitrogen and high oxygen concentration across thethickness of the relatively thick layer. However, due to top and bottomeffects this results in nitrogen, oxygen and silicon concentrations,which can vary throughout the conventional oxynitride layer 118. The topeffect is caused by the order in which process gases are shut offfollowing deposition. In particular, the silicon containing process gas,such as silane, is typically shut off first resulting in a top portionof the oxynitride layer 118 that is high in oxygen and/or nitride andlow in silicon. Similarly, the bottom effect is caused by the order inwhich process gases are introduced to initiate deposition. Inparticular, the deposition of the oxynitride layer 118 typically followsan annealing step, resulting in a peak or relatively high concentrationof ammonia (NH₃) at the beginning of the deposition process andproducing in a bottom portion of the oxynitride layer that is low inoxygen and silicon and high in nitrogen. The bottom effect is also dueto surface nucleation phenomena in which that oxygen and silicon that isavailable in the initial process gas mixture preferentially reacts withsilicon at the surface of the substrate and does not contribute to theformation of the oxynitride layer. Consequently, the charge storagecharacteristics, and in particular programming and erase speed and dataretention of a memory device 100 made with the ONO stack 104, areadversely effected.

Accordingly, there is a need for a memory device having an ONO stackwith an oxynitride layer as a memory layer that exhibits improvedprogramming and erase speed and data retention. There is a further needfor a method or process of forming an ONO stack having an oxynitridelayer that exhibits improved oxynitride stochiometry.

SUMMARY

A semiconductor device including asilicon-oxide-oxynitride-oxide-silicon structure and methods of formingthe same are provided. In one embodiment, the structure comprises: atunnel oxide layer on a surface of a substrate including silicon; amulti-layer charge storing layer including an oxygen-rich, firstoxynitride layer on the tunnel oxide layer in which the stoichiometriccomposition of the first oxynitride layer results in it beingsubstantially trap free, and an oxygen-lean, second oxynitride layer onthe first oxynitride layer in which the stoichiometric composition ofthe second oxynitride layer results in it being trap dense; a blockingoxide layer on the second oxynitride layer; and a silicon containinggate layer on the blocking oxide layer.

In one embodiment, the method includes: (i) forming a tunnel oxide layeron a silicon containing layer of a substrate; (ii) forming a multi-layercharge storing layer by depositing on the tunnel oxide layer anoxygen-rich first oxynitride layer in which the stoichiometriccomposition of the first oxynitride layer results in it beingsubstantially trap free; and depositing on the first oxynitride layer anoxygen-lean second oxynitride layer in which the stoichiometriccomposition of the second oxynitride layer results in it being trapdense; (iii) forming a blocking oxide layer on the second oxynitridelayer; and (iv) forming a silicon containing gate layer on the blockingoxide layer.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and various other features and advantages of the present structureand method will be apparent upon reading of the following detaileddescription in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and theappended claims provided below, where:

FIG. 1 (prior art) is a block diagram illustrating a cross-sectionalside view of an intermediate structure for a memory device for which amethod having an oxide-nitride-oxide (ONO) stack formed according toconventional method;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a cross-sectional side view of aportion of a semiconductor device having asilicon-oxide-oxynitride-oxide-silicon structure including a multi-layercharge storing layer according to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 3 is flow chart of a method for forming an oxide-oxynitride-oxidestructure including a multi-layer charge storing layer according to anembodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4 is a graph showing an improvement in data retention for a memorydevice using a memory layer formed according to the present disclosureas compared to a memory device using a conventional memory layer;

FIG. 5 is flow chart of a method for forming an oxide-oxynitride-oxidestructure including a multi-layer charge storing layer according toanother embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 6 is an energy band diagram of a programmed conventional memorydevice having an ONO structure; and

FIGS. 7A and 7B are energy band diagrams of a memory device including amulti-layer charge storing layer according to an embodiment of thepresent disclosure prior to and following programming.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention is directed generally to a device comprising asilicon-oxide-oxynitride-oxide-silicon gate structure including amulti-layer charge storing layer and methods for making the same. Thegate structure and method are particularly useful for forming a memorylayer in a memory device, such as a memory transistor.

In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerousspecific details are set forth in order to provide a thoroughunderstanding of the present disclosure. It will be evident, however, toone skilled in the art that the present structure and method may bepracticed without these specific details. In other instances, well-knownstructures, and techniques are not shown in detail or are shown in blockdiagram form in order to avoid unnecessarily obscuring an understandingof this description.

Reference in the description to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment”means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic describedin connection with the embodiment is included in at least oneembodiment. The appearances of the phrase “in one embodiment” in variousplaces in the specification do not necessarily all refer to the sameembodiment. The term “to couple” as used herein may include both todirectly connect and to indirectly connect through one or moreintervening components.

Briefly, the method involves forming a multi-layer charge storing layerincluding multiple oxynitride layers, such as silicon oxynitride(Si₂N₂O) layers, having differing concentrations of Oxygen, Nitrogenand/or Silicon. The oxynitride layers are formed at higher temperaturesthan nitride or oxynitride layers in conventional ONO structures, andeach of the layers are formed using differing process gases mixturesand/or at differing flow rates. Generally, the oxynitride layers includeat least a top oxynitride layer and a bottom oxynitride layer. Incertain embodiments, the stoichiometric compositions of the layers istailored or selected such that the lower or bottom oxynitride has a highoxygen and silicon content, and the top oxynitride layer has highsilicon and a high nitrogen concentration with a low oxygenconcentration to produce an oxygen-lean, silicon-rich nitride oroxynitride. The silicon-rich and oxygen-rich bottom oxynitride layerreduces stored charge loss without compromising device speed or aninitial (beginning of life) difference between program and erasevoltages. The silicon-rich, oxygen-lean top oxynitride layer increases adifference between programming and erase voltages of memory devices,thereby improving device speed, increasing data retention, and extendingthe operating life of the device. In some embodiments, the silicon-rich,oxygen-lean top oxynitride layer can further include a concentration ofcarbon selected to increase the number of traps therein.

Optionally, the ratio of thicknesses between the top oxynitride layerand the bottom oxynitride layer can be selected to facilitate forming ofthe oxynitride layers over a tunneling or first oxide layer of asilicon-oxide-oxynitride-oxide-silicon gate structure following theforming of the first oxide layer using a dry or wet oxidation.

A silicon-oxide-oxynitride-oxide-silicon structure and methods forfabricating the same according to various embodiments of the presentdisclosure will now be described in greater detail with reference toFIGS. 2 through 4.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a cross-sectional side view of aportion of a semiconductor memory device 200 having asilicon-oxide-oxynitride-oxide-silicon gate structure including amulti-layer charge storing layer according to one embodiment. Referringto FIG. 2, the memory device 200 includes asilicon-oxide-oxynitride-oxide-silicon gate structure or gate stack 202including a multi-layer charge storing layer 204 formed over a surface206 of silicon layer on a substrate or a silicon substrate 208. Inaddition, the device 200 further includes one or more diffusion regions210, such as source and drain regions or structures, aligned to the gatestack 202 and separated by a channel region 212. Generally, thesilicon-oxide-oxynitride-oxide-silicon gate structure includes a siliconcontaining gate layer, such as a poly-silicon or poly gate layer 214formed upon and in contact with the multi-layer charge storing layer204, and a portion of the silicon layer or substrate 208. The poly gatelayer 214 is separated or electrically isolated from the substrate 208by the multi-layer charge storing layer 204. Thesilicon-oxide-oxynitride-oxide-silicon structure includes a thin, loweroxide layer or tunneling oxide layer 216 that separates or electricallyisolates the gate stack 202 from the channel region 212, a top orblocking oxide layer 218, and the multi-layer charge storing layer 204.As noted above and as shown in FIG. 2, the multi-layer charge storinglayer 204 includes at least two oxynitride layers, including a topoxynitride layer 220A and a bottom oxynitride layer 220B.

The substrate 208 may include any known silicon-based semiconductormaterial including silicon, silicon-germanium, silicon-on-insulator, orsilicon-on-sapphire substrate. Alternatively, the substrate 208 mayinclude a silicon layer formed on a non-silicon-based semiconductormaterial, such as gallium-arsenide, germanium, gallium-nitride, oraluminum-phosphide. In certain embodiments, the substrate 208 is a dopedor undoped silicon substrate.

The lower oxide layer or tunneling oxide layer 216 of thesilicon-oxide-oxynitride-oxide-silicon structure generally includes arelatively thin layer of silicon dioxide (SiO₂) of from about 15angstrom (Å) to about 22 Å, and in some embodiments about 18 Å. Thetunneling oxide layer 216 can be formed or deposited by any suitablemeans including, for example, being thermally grown or deposited usingchemical vapor deposition (CVD). Generally, the tunnel oxide layer isformed or grown using a thermal oxidation in oxygen ambient. In oneembodiment, the process involves a dry oxidation method in which thesubstrate 208 is placed in a in a deposition or processing chamber,heated to a temperature from about 700° C. to about 850° C., and exposedto oxygen for a predetermined period of time selected based on a desiredthickness of the finished tunneling oxide layer 216. In anotherembodiment, the tunnel oxide layer is grown in an ISSG (In-Situ SteamGeneration) chamber with a radical oxidation using a reaction betweenoxygen (O₂) and hydrogen (H₂) on the substrate at temperatures of atleast 1000° C. Exemplary process times are from about 10 to about 100minutes. The oxidation can be performed at atmospheric or at lowpressure.

As noted above, the multi-layer charge storing layer generally includesat least two oxynitride layers having differing compositions of silicon,oxygen and nitrogen, and can have an overall thickness of from about 70Å to about 150 Å, and in certain embodiments about 100 Å. In oneembodiment, the oxynitride layers are formed or deposited in a lowpressure CVD process using a silicon source, such as silane (SiH₄),chlorosilane (SiH₃Cl), dichlorosilane or DCS (SiH₂Cl₂),tetrachlorosilane (SiCl₄) or Bis-TertiaryButylAmino Silane (BTBAS), anitrogen source, such as nitrogen (N2), ammonia (NH₃), nitrogen trioxide(NO₃) or nitrous oxide (N₂O), and an oxygen-containing gas, such asoxygen (O₂) or N₂O. Alternatively, gases in which hydrogen has beenreplaced by deuterium can be used, including, for example, thesubstitution of deuterated-ammonia (ND₃) for NH₃. The substitution ofdeuterium for hydrogen advantageously passivates Si dangling bonds atthe silicon-oxide interface, thereby increasing an NBTI (Negative BiasTemperature Instability) lifetime of the devices.

For example, the lower or bottom oxynitride layer 220B can be depositedover the tunneling oxide layer 216 by placing the substrate 208 in adeposition chamber and introducing a process gas including N₂O, NH₃ andDCS, while maintaining the chamber at a pressure of from about 5millitorr (mT) to about 500 mT, and maintaining the substrate at atemperature of from about 700° C. to about 850° C. and in certainembodiments at least about 760° C., for a period of from about 2.5minutes to about 20 minutes. In particular, the process gas can includea first gas mixture of N₂O and NH₃ mixed in a ratio of from about 8:1 toabout 1:8 and a second gas mixture of DCS and NH₃ mixed in a ratio offrom about 1:7 to about 7:1, and can be introduced at a flow rate offrom about 5 to about 200 standard cubic centimeters per minute (sccm).It has been found that an oxynitride layer produced or deposited underthese condition yields a silicon-rich, oxygen-rich, bottom oxynitridelayer 220B, that decrease the charge loss rate after programming andafter erase, which is manifested in a small voltage shift in theretention mode.

The top oxynitride layer 220A can be deposited over the bottomoxynitride layer 220B in a CVD process using a process gas includingN₂O, NH₃ and DCS, at a chamber pressure of from about 5 mT to about 500mT, and at a substrate temperature of from about 700° C. to about 850°C. and in certain embodiments at least about 760° C., for a period offrom about 2.5 minutes to about 20 minutes. In particular, the processgas can include a first gas mixture of N2O and NH3 mixed in a ratio offrom about 8:1 to about 1:8 and a second gas mixture of DCS and NH 3mixed in a ratio of from about 1:7 to about 7:1, and can be introducedat a flow rate of from about 5 to about 20 sccm. It has been found thatan oxynitride layer produced or deposited under these condition yields asilicon-rich, nitrogen-rich, and oxygen-lean top oxynitride layer 220A,which improves the speed and increases of the initial difference betweenprogram and erase voltage without compromising a charge loss rate ofmemory devices made using an embodiment of thesilicon-oxide-oxynitride-oxide-silicon structure, thereby extending theoperating life of the device.

In some embodiments, the silicon-rich, nitrogen-rich, and oxygen-leantop oxynitride layer 220A can be deposited over the bottom oxynitridelayer 220B in a CVD process using a process gas including BTBAS andammonia (NH₃) mixed at a ratio of from about 7:1 to about 1:7 to furtherinclude a concentration of carbon selected to increase the number oftraps therein. The selected concentration of carbon in the secondoxynitride layer can include a carbon concentration of from about 5% toabout 15%.

In certain embodiments, the top oxynitride layer 220A is depositedsequentially in the same tool used to form the bottom oxynitride layer220B, substantially without breaking vacuum on the deposition chamber.In certain embodiments, the top oxynitride layer 220A is depositedsubstantially without altering the temperature to which the substrate208 was heated during deposition of the bottom oxynitride layer 220B. Inone embodiment, the top oxynitride layer 220A is deposited sequentiallyand immediately following the deposition of the bottom oxynitride layer220B by decreasing the flow rate of the N₂O/NH₃ gas mixture relative tothe DCS/NH₃ gas mixture to provide the desired ratio of the gas mixturesto yield the silicon-rich, nitrogen-rich, and oxygen-lean top oxynitridelayer 220A.

In certain embodiments, another oxide or oxide layer (not shown in thesefigures) is formed after the formation of the gate stack 202 in adifferent area on the substrate 208 or in the device using a steamoxidation. In this embodiment, the top oxynitride layer 220A and top orblocking oxide layer 218 of the silicon-oxide-oxynitride-oxide-siliconstructure are beneficially steam annealed during the steam oxidationprocess. In particular, steam annealing improves the quality of the topor blocking oxide layer 218 reducing the number of traps formed near atop surface of the blocking oxide layer and near a top surface of theunderlying top oxynitride layer 220A, thereby reducing or substantiallyeliminating an electric field that could otherwise form across theblocking oxide layer, which could result in back streaming of chargecarriers therethrough and adversely affecting data or charge retentionin the charge storing layer.

A suitable thickness for the bottom oxynitride layer 220B has been foundto be from about 10 Å to about 80 Å, and a ratio of thicknesses betweenthe bottom layer and the top oxynitride layer has been found to be fromabout 1:6 to about 6:1, and in certain embodiments at least about 1:4.

The top or blocking oxide layer 218 of thesilicon-oxide-oxynitride-oxide-silicon structure includes a relativelythick layer of SiO₂ of from about 30 Å to about 70 Å, and in certainembodiments about 45 Å. The top or blocking oxide layer 218 can beformed or deposited by any suitable means including, for example, beingthermally grown or deposited using CVD. In one embodiment, the top orblocking oxide layer 218 is a high-temperature-oxide (HTO) depositedusing CVD process. Generally, the deposition process involves exposingthe substrate 208 to a silicon source, such as silane, chlorosilane, ordichlorosilane, and an oxygen-containing gas, such as O₂ or N₂O in adeposition chamber at a pressure of from about 50 mT to about 1000 mT,for a period of from about 10 minutes to about 120 minutes whilemaintaining the substrate at a temperature of from about 650° C. toabout 850° C.

In certain embodiments, the top or blocking oxide layer 218 is depositedsequentially in the same tool used to form the oxynitride layers 220A,220B. In certain embodiments, the oxynitride layers 220A, 220B, and thetop or blocking oxide layer 218 are formed or deposited in the same toolused to grow the tunneling oxide layer 216. Suitable tools include, forexample, an ONO AVP, commercially available from AVIZA technology ofScotts Valley, Calif.

A method or forming or fabricating asilicon-oxide-oxynitride-oxide-silicon stack according to one embodimentwill now be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 3.

Referring to FIG. 3, the method begins with forming a first oxide layer,such as a tunneling oxide layer 216, of thesilicon-oxide-oxynitride-oxide-silicon gate stack 202 over a siliconcontaining layer on a surface of a substrate 208 (300). Next, the firstor bottom oxynitride layer 220B of a multi-layer charge storing layer204 including oxynitride is formed on a surface of the first oxide layer(302). As noted above, this first or bottom oxynitride layer 220B can beformed or deposited by a CVD process using a process gas includingN₂O/NH₃ and DC S/NH₃ gas mixtures in ratios and at flow rates tailoredto provide a silicon-rich and oxygen-rich oxynitride layer. The secondor top oxynitride layer 220A of the multi-layer charge storing layer 204is then formed on a surface of the first or bottom oxynitride layer 220B(304). The second or top oxynitride layer 220A has a stoichiometriccomposition of oxygen, nitrogen and/or silicon different from that ofthe first or bottom oxynitride layer 220B. In particular, and as notedabove, the second or top oxynitride layer 220A can be formed ordeposited by a CVD process using a process gas including DC S/NH₃ andN₂O/NH₃ gas mixtures in ratios and at flow rates tailored to provide asilicon-rich, oxygen-lean top oxynitride layer. Finally, a top orblocking oxide layer 218 of the silicon-oxide-oxynitride-oxide-siliconstructure is formed on a surface of the second layer of the multi-layercharge storing layer (306). As noted above, this top or blocking oxidelayer 218 can be formed or deposited by any suitable means, but in someembodiments is deposited in a CVD process. In one embodiment the top orblocking oxide layer 218 is a high temperature oxide deposited in a HTOCVD process. Alternatively, the top or blocking oxide layer 218 can bethermally grown, however it will be appreciated that in this embodimentthe thickness of the top oxynitride 220A may be adjusted or increased assome of the top oxynitride will be effectively consumed or oxidizedduring the process of thermally growing the top or blocking oxide layer218.

Optionally, the method may further include forming or depositing asilicon containing layer on a surface of the top or blocking oxide layer218 to form a silicon-oxide-oxynitride-oxide-silicon stack or structure(308). The silicon containing layer can be, for example, a polysiliconlayer deposited by a CVD process to form a control or poly gate layer214 of the transistor or device 200.

A comparison of data retention for a memory device using a memory layerformed according to an embodiment of the present disclosure as comparedto a memory device using a conventional memory layer will now be madewith reference to FIG. 4. In particular, FIG. 4 illustrates the changein threshold voltage of devices in an electronically erasableprogrammable read-only memory (EEPROM) during programming (VTP) duringerase (VTE) over device life for an EEPROM made using a conventional ONOstructure and a silicon-oxide-oxynitride-oxide-silicon structure havinga multi-layer oxynitride layer. In gathering data for this figure bothdevices were pre-cycled for 100K cycles at an ambient temperature of 85°C.

Referring to FIG. 4, the graph or line 402 illustrates the change overtime of a VTP for an EEPROM made using a conventional ONO structurehaving a single oxynitride layer without refreshing the memory after theinitial writing—program or erase. Actual data points on line 402 areshown by unfilled circles, the remainder of the line showing anextrapolation of VTP to a specified end-of-life (EOL) for the EEPROM.Graph or line 404 illustrates the change over time of a VTE for theEEPROM made using a conventional ONO structure. Actual data points online 404 are shown by filled circles, and the remainder of the lineshows an extrapolation of VTE to EOL for the EEPROM. Generally, thespecified difference between the VTE and VTP for an EEPROM at EOL is atleast 0.5 V to be able to identify or sense the difference between theprogram and erase state. As seen from this figure an EEPROM made using aconventional ONO structure has a difference between VTE and VTP of about0.35V at a specified EOL of 20 years. Thus, an EEPROM made using aconventional ONO structure and operated under the conditions describedabove will fail to meet the specified operating life by at least about17 years.

In contrast, the change in VTP and VTE over time for an EEPROM madeusing a silicon-oxide-oxynitride-oxide-silicon structure having amulti-layer oxynitride layer, illustrated by lines 406 and 408respectively, shows a difference between VTE and VTP of at least about1.96V at the specified EOL. Thus, an EEPROM made using asilicon-oxide-oxynitride-oxide-silicon structure according to anembodiment of the present disclosure will meet and exceed the specifiedoperating life of 20 years. In particular, graph or line 406 illustratesthe change over time of VTP for an EEPROM using asilicon-oxide-oxynitride-oxide-silicon structure according to anembodiment of the present disclosure. Actual data points on line 406 areshown by unfilled squares, the remainder of the line showing anextrapolation of VTP to the specified EOL. Graph or line 408 illustratesthe change over time of VTE for the EEPROM, and actual data points online 408 are shown by filled squares, the remainder of the line showingan extrapolation of VTE to EOL.

A method or forming or fabricating a semiconductor device according toanother embodiment is now described with reference to the flowchart ofFIG. 5.

Referring to FIG. 5, the method begins with forming a tunneling oxidelayer 216 on a substrate (500). Next, an oxygen-rich, first or bottomoxynitride layer 220B of a multi-layer charge storing layer 204 isformed on a surface of the tunneling oxide layer 216 (502). As notedabove, this oxygen-rich, first or bottom oxynitride layer 220B can beformed or deposited by a CVD process using a process gas comprising adichlorosilane (SiH₂Cl₂)/ammonia (NH₃) mixture at a ratio in the rangeof about 5:1 to 15:1; and a nitrous oxide (N₂O)/NH₃ mixture at a ratioin the range of about 2:1 to 4:1 and at flow rates tailored to provide asilicon-rich and oxygen-rich oxynitride layer which is substantiallytrap free. That is the stoichiometric composition of the first or bottomoxynitride layer 220B comprises a high concentration of oxygen selectedto increase retention performance of the multi-layer charge storinglayer by acting as a barrier between charge trapped in the second or topoxynitride layer 220A and the substrate 208. The selected concentrationof oxygen in the first or bottom oxynitride layer 220B can include anoxygen concentration of from about 15% to about 40%, and, in certainembodiments about 35%.

An oxygen-lean, second or top oxynitride layer 220A is then formed on asurface of the first or bottom oxynitride layer 220B (504). The secondor top oxynitride layer 220A has a stoichiometric composition of oxygen,nitrogen and/or silicon different from that of the first layer. Inparticular, and as noted above, the second or top oxynitride layer 220Acan be formed or deposited by a CVD process using a process gas using aprocess gas comprising a N₂O/NH₃ mixture at a ratio in the range ofabout 1:6 to 1:8 and a SiH₂Cl₂/NH₃ mixture at a ratio in the range ofabout 1.5:1 to 3:1 to provide a trap dense oxynitride layer having anoxygen concentration of about 5% or less. Thus, the second or topoxynitride layer 220A comprises a charge trap density at least 1000times greater than the first or bottom oxynitride layer 220B.

Finally, a top or blocking oxide layer 218 is formed over the second ortop oxynitride layer 220A of the multi-layer charge storing layer 204(506). As noted above, this top or blocking oxide layer 218 can beformed or deposited by any suitable means. In one embodiment the secondor blocking oxide layer 218 is formed a manner that results in thinningof the second or top oxynitride layer 220A to a predetermined thicknessthrough oxidization of a portion of the second oxynitride layer.Finally, as noted above with respect to FIG. 4, the increased retentionperformance of the multi-layer charge storing layer 204 increases anend-of-life (EOL) for the semiconductor device at a specified differencebetween program voltage (VTP) and erase voltage (VTE) to at least about20 years.

In another aspect, the multi-layer charge storing layer of the presentdisclosure has bandgap energy engineered to generate an electrical fieldopposing that built-up due to charge storage in the charge storing layerin a programmed state, thereby increasing data retention, withoutimpacting programming voltages and/or device speed. An energy banddiagram of a programmed conventional device including a channel insilicon substrate 602, a tunneling oxide layer 604, a homogeneousnitride or oxynitride charge storing layer 606, oxide blocking layer 608and a polysilicon control gate 610 is illustrated in FIG. 6. Referringto FIG. 6, it is noted that large number of trapped charges located nearthe center of the charge storing layer 606 results in a build-up of alarge electric field away from the tunneling oxide layer 604 towards thetrapped charges, and which can cause or result in loss of stored charges

In contrast, in a memory device including the multi-layer charge storinglayer of the present disclosure engineering the bandgap energymulti-layer charge storing layer results in a build-up of an electricalfield pointing inward (from the charge storing layer toward the tunneloxide), which opposes the build-up of the electric field due to thestored charge increasing charge retention. An unprogrammed memory deviceincluding a multi-layer charge storing layer 706 is shown in FIG. 7A.The device includes a channel in silicon substrate 702, a tunnelingoxide layer 704, an oxygen-lean oxynitride layer 706A, an oxygen-richbottom oxynitride layer 706B, an oxide blocking layer 708 and apolysilicon control gate 710. Referring to FIG. 7A, the trap sites inthe oxygen-lean top oxynitride layer 706A, produces an electric fieldthat will oppose the electric field produced by the trapped charges inthe programmed device. The resultant bandgap diagram of a deviceincluding a multi-layer charge storing layer 706 in a programmed stateis shown in FIG. 7A.

Although shown and described above as having only two oxynitride layer,i.e., a top and a bottom layer, the present disclosure is not solimited, and the multi-layer charge storing layer can include anynumber, n, of oxynitride layers, any or all of which may have differingstoichiometric compositions of oxygen, nitrogen and/or silicon. Inparticular, multi-layer charge storing layers having up to fiveoxynitride layers each with differing stoichiometric compositions havebeen produced and tested. However, as will be appreciated by thoseskilled in the art it is generally desirable to utilize as few layers aspossible to accomplish a desired result, reducing the process stepsnecessary to produce the device, and thereby providing a much simplerand more robust manufacturing process. Moreover, utilizing as few layersas possible also results in higher yields as it is simpler to controlthe stoichiometric composition and dimensions of the fewer layers.

It will further be appreciated that although shown and described as partof a silicon-oxide-oxynitride-oxide-silicon stack in a memory device,the structure and method of the present disclosure is not so limited,and the silicon-oxide-oxynitride-oxide-silicon structure can be used inor with any semiconductor technology or in any device requiring a chargestoring or dielectric layer or stack including, for example, in a splitgate flash memory, a TaNOS stack, in a 1T (transistor) SONOS-type cell,a 2T SONOS-type cell, a 3T SONOS-type cell, a localized 2-bit cell, amultilevel programming or cell, and/or a 9T or 12T non-volatilesemiconductor memory (NVSM) cells without departing from the scope ofthe disclosure. FIGS. 8A-8E are schematic diagrams of exemplary memorycell architectures for which the multi-layer charge storing layer of thepresent disclosure is particularly useful.

The advantages of the structures and methods of forming the sameaccording to an embodiment of the present disclosure over previous orconventional approaches include: (i) the ability to enhance dataretention in memory devices using the structure by dividing theoxynitride layer into a plurality of films or layers and tailoring theoxygen, nitrogen and silicon profile across each layer; (ii) the abilityto enhance speed of a memory device without compromising data retention;(iii) the ability to meet or exceed data retention and speedspecifications for memory devices using asilicon-oxide-oxynitride-oxide-silicon structure of an embodiment of thepresent disclosure at a temperature of at least about 125° C.; and (iv)provide heavy duty program erase cycles of 100,000 cycles or more.

Although the present disclosure has been described with reference tospecific exemplary embodiments, it will be evident that variousmodifications and changes may be made to these embodiments withoutdeparting from the broader spirit and scope of the disclosure.Accordingly, the specification and drawings are to be regarded in anillustrative rather than a restrictive sense.

The Abstract of the Disclosure is provided to comply with 37 C.F.R.§1.72(b), requiring an abstract that will allow the reader to quicklyascertain the nature of the technical disclosure. It is submitted withthe understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit thescope or meaning of the claims. In addition, in the foregoing DetailedDescription, it can be seen that various features are grouped togetherin a single embodiment for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure.This method of disclosure is not to be interpreted as reflecting anintention that the claimed embodiments require more features than areexpressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claimsreflect, inventive subject matter lies in less than all features of asingle disclosed embodiment. Thus, the following claims are herebyincorporated into the Detailed Description, with each claim standing onits own as a separate embodiment.

In the forgoing description, for purposes of explanation, numerousspecific details have been set forth in order to provide a thoroughunderstanding of the multi-layer charge storing layer and method of thepresent disclosure. It will be evident however to one skilled in the artthat the present interface device and method may be practiced withoutthese specific details. In other instances, well-known structures, andtechniques are not shown in detail or are shown in block diagram form inorder to avoid unnecessarily obscuring an understanding of thisdescription.

Reference in the description to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment”means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic describedin connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodimentof the hot de-latch system or method. The appearances of the phrase “oneembodiment” in various places in the specification do not necessarilyall refer to the same embodiment. The term “to couple” as used hereinmay include both to directly electrically connect two or more componentsor elements and to indirectly connect through one or more interveningcomponents.

1. A silicon-oxide-oxynitride-oxide-silicon structure comprising: atunnel oxide layer on a surface of a substrate comprising silicon; amulti-layer charge storing layer including an oxygen-rich, firstoxynitride layer on the tunnel oxide layer in which a stoichiometriccomposition of the first oxynitride layer results in it beingsubstantially trap free, and an oxygen-lean, second oxynitride layer onthe first oxynitride layer in which a stoichiometric composition of thesecond oxynitride layer results in it being trap dense; a blocking oxidelayer on the second oxynitride layer; and a silicon containing gatelayer on the blocking oxide layer.
 2. The structure of claim 1, whereina concentration of oxygen in the first oxynitride layer is from about15% to about 40%.
 3. The structure of claim 1, wherein a concentrationof oxygen in the second oxynitride layer is less than about 5%.
 4. Thestructure of claim 1, wherein the second oxynitride layer comprises acharge trap density at least 1000 times greater than the firstoxynitride layer.
 5. The structure of claim 1, wherein the secondoxynitride layer further comprises a concentration of carbon selected toincrease a number of traps therein.
 6. A semiconductor device,comprising: substrate comprising silicon and having a surface withlaterally spaced-apart source and drain regions; a tunnel oxide layer onthe surface of the substrate overlying the source and drain regions; amulti-layer charge storing layer on the tunnel oxide layer and disposedlaterally between the spaced-apart source and drain regions, themulti-layer charge storing layer including an oxygen-rich firstoxynitride layer in which a stoichiometric composition of the firstoxynitride layer results in it being substantially trap free, and anoxygen-lean second oxynitride layer in which a stoichiometriccomposition of the second oxynitride layer results in it being trapdense; a blocking oxide layer on the second oxynitride layer; and asilicon containing gate layer on the blocking oxide layer.
 7. Thesemiconductor device of claim 6, wherein a concentration of oxygen inthe first oxynitride layer is about 15 to about 40%.
 8. Thesemiconductor device of claim 6, wherein a concentration of oxygen inthe second oxynitride layer is less than about 5%.
 9. The semiconductordevice of claim 6, wherein the second oxynitride layer comprises acharge trap density at least 1000 times greater than the firstoxynitride layer.
 10. The semiconductor device of claim 6, wherein thesecond oxynitride layer further comprises a concentration of carbonselected to increase a number of traps therein.
 11. A method of forminga semiconductor device, comprising: forming a tunnel oxide layer on asilicon containing layer of a substrate; forming a multi-layer chargestoring layer by: depositing on the tunnel oxide layer an oxygen-richfirst oxynitride layer in which a stoichiometric composition of thefirst oxynitride layer results in it being substantially trap free; anddepositing on the first oxynitride layer an oxygen-lean secondoxynitride layer in which a stoichiometric composition of the secondoxynitride layer results in it being trap dense; forming a blockingoxide layer on the second oxynitride layer; and forming a siliconcontaining gate layer on the blocking oxide layer.
 12. The method ofclaim 11, wherein the stoichiometric composition of the first oxynitridelayer comprises a concentration of oxygen selected to increase aretention performance of the multi-layer charge storing layer by actingas a barrier between charge trapped in the second oxynitride layer andthe substrate.
 13. The method of claim 12, wherein the concentration ofoxygen in the first oxynitride layer is about 15 to about 40%.
 14. Themethod of claim 12, wherein the concentration of oxygen in the firstoxynitride layer is about 35%.
 15. The method of claim 12, wherein theconcentration of oxygen in the second oxynitride layer is less thanabout 5%.
 16. The method of claim 12, wherein the retention performanceof the multi-layer charge storing layer increases an end-of-life (EOL)for the semiconductor device at a specified difference between programand erase voltages to at least about 20 years.
 17. The method of claim11, wherein the second oxynitride layer comprises a charge trap densityat least 1000 times greater than the first oxynitride layer.
 18. Themethod of claim 11, wherein the first oxynitride layer is formed in achemical vapor deposition (CVD) process using a process gas comprising adichlorosilane (SiH₂Cl₂)/ammonia (NH₃) mixture at a ratio in a range ofabout 5:1 to 15:1 and a nitrous oxide (N₂O)/NH₃ mixture at a ratio in arange of about 2:1 to 4:1, and wherein the second oxynitride layer isformed in a CVD process using a process gas comprising a N₂O/NH₃ mixtureat a ratio in a range of about 1:6 to 1:8 and a SiH₂Cl₂/NH₃ mixture at aratio in a range of about 1.5:1 to 3:1.
 19. The method of claim 18,wherein forming the first oxynitride layer and the second oxynitridelayer are performed sequentially in a single CVD tool by changing theratio of the N₂O/NH₃ and SiH₂Cl₂/NH₃ mixtures.
 20. The method of claim11, wherein the tunnel oxide layer is grown in an ISSG (In-Situ SteamGeneration) chamber with a radical oxidation using a reaction betweenoxygen (O₂) and hydrogen (H₂) on the substrate at temperatures of atleast 1000° C.
 21. The method of claim 11, wherein the blocking oxidelayer is formed by high density plasma (HDP) oxidation of a portion ofthe second oxynitride layer.
 22. The method of claim 11, wherein thesecond oxynitride layer further comprises a concentration of carbonselected to increase a number of traps therein.
 23. The method of claim22, wherein the second oxynitride layer is formed in a CVD process usinga process gas comprising Bis-TertiaryButylAminoSilane (BTBAS) andammonia (NH₃) mixed at a ratio of from about 7:1 to about 1:7.